Ice-making machine



Oct. 14, 1952 R COOK 2,613,506

ICE-MAKING MACHINE Filed May 13, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET l INVENTOR.

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array/v5) Oct. 14, 1952 D. R. cooK ICE-MAKING MACHINE 2 SHEETSSHEET 2Filed May 13, 1950 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Oct. 14, 1952 ICE-MAKIN G MACHINE Dudley R. Cook, Evansville,Ind., assignor to Servel, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation ofDelaware Application May 13, 1950, Serial No. 161,824

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to ice making machines and moreparticularly to releasing ice from the mold in which it is frozen.

.It has heretofore been proposed to freeze ice in a chambered moldhaving an open bottom from which the ice falls by gravity when released.In such machines a platen closes the bottom of the mold and the mold iscooled to freeze ice in the chambers or cells and between the cells toform a unitary cake. After the cake is frozen the platen is moved to aninclined position'below the mold and the mold is heated to melt the bondbetween it and the cake so that the latter will fall from the mold bygravity. In such machines the cake of'ice does not always fall freelyfrom the mold but instead is apt to hang in the mold in an unpredictablemanner. i'ce interferes with the proper operation of the machine andrequires an excessive period of time between freezing operations toinsure the complete removal of ice from the mold before the Such hangingof the platen closes which, in turn, decreases the amount of iceproduced by the machine.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a constructionand arrangement of elements in an ice making machine of the typeindicated to control the descent of a cake of ice released from the moldso that it will draw free from the mold as it falls.

Another object is to provide a construction to insure the release of thecake of ice at one side of the mold before it is released from theopposite side and support the side of the cake first released so thatthe cake will swing about the support as a pivot when the opposite sideis released.

Another object is to provide a thermostat respon'sive to the temperatureat one side of the mold for controlling the operation of a platen andthe cooling and heating of the mold together With an arrangement tofirst release and support the cake of ice at the side of the moldopposite from the side controlling the thermostat.

Still another object of the invention is to progressively heat the iceforming mold from a side opposite toward the side adjacent a controlthermostat to insure the release of ice from the mold in the desiredmanner. I These and other objects will become more apparent from thefollowing description and drawings in which like reference charactersdenote like parts throughout the several views. It is to be expresslyunderstood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose ofillustration only and not a definition of the limits of the invention,reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims. In thedrawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an ice freezing mold incorporating thenovel features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the mold partly in section showingthe platen moved to an inclined position below the mold and supportingthe side of the ice cake first released to control its descent as itfalls from the mold;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the platen moved to close thebottom of the mold to begin another ice freezing operation;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2showing the electric motor for operating the platen actuating mechanismand the cam control switches;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through portion of the moldshowing the ice frozen in the individual cells and over the bottom ofthe dividing partitions to form a continuous cake; and

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of an electric control circuit for themachine.

In the drawings, the invention is shown applied to an ice making machinecomprising a freezing mold l in the form of an inverted metal trayhaving a top and depending sides with cross partitions 8 therein forminga plurality of adjacent cells 9. The partitions 8 are joined to the topand side walls of the mold and to each other as by brazing, soldering orwelding and are of less depth than the depending side walls of the mold.

A platen I0 is pressed against the depending side walls of the mold 1 byan operating mechanism, later to be described in detail, to close theopen bottom of the mold and provide a space between it and the bottom ofthe partitions 8. Water or other liquid to be frozen is supplied to theinterior of the mold l by a funnel tube H projecting upwardly from thetop wall of the mold and underlying a water supply pipe 12 controlled bya solenoid operated valve l3. A standpipe M is connected to one side ofthe mold 1 and a ball float l5 in the standpipe is adapted to operate aswitch I 6 to control the actuation of valve [3.

The mold 1 may be successively cooled and heated by any suitable heattransfer arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment a serpentine coil I7is mounted on the top wall of the mold I and has straight sectionsoverlying the partitions 8 and curved end portions connecting thestraight sections. Preferably, the coil I! is attached in good heatconducting relation to the top wall of the mold I as by brazing,soldering or welding it thereto. One end of the coil 11 is connected tothe refrigerant receiver I8 of a compression type refrigeration systemby a conduit I9 having an expansion valve 20 therein. The opposite endof the coil I1 is connected by a conduit 2! to the suction side of acompressor 22 driven by an electric motor 23. The high pressure side ofthe compressor 29 is connected to a condenser 24 by a conduit 25 and theoutlet from the condenser is connected to the receiver l8. A by-passconduit 26 also is connected be tween the high pressure side of thecompressor 22 and inlet end of the coil H and a solenoid-operatedselector valve 21 is provided at the junction of the coil H and conduitsi9 and 25. Valve 21 connects conduit l9 to coil H and when the solenoidis deenergized the valve closes conduit 26. When the solenoid ofselector valve 2'| is energized, the valve connects conduit 26 to coilll to permit hot gas to enter the coil.

Platen I is mounted adjacent one side of the mold for downward androcking movement to an inclined position below the mold. Trunnion pins28 project from the opposite sides of the platen l0 and into one end oflinks 29, see Figs. 1 and 2, and the opposite ends of the links arepivotally connected to suitable supports 30. Adjustable stops 3| limitthe pivotal movement of the links 29 on supports 3|) to regulate thedownward movement of the platen |0 relative to the mold The mechanismfor operating the platen It) comprises a lever 32 pivotally connected toa bracket 33 at one end, an adjustable push rod 34 connecting theopposite end of the lever to the bottom of the platen and a cam 35 forrocking the lever, see Fig. 2. Cam 35 is mounted fast on a cam shaft 36rotatable in bearing blocks 31 on a channel frame member 38, see Fig. 4,the channel frame having a slot 39 therein between the bearing blocks toaccommodate the cam 35. Cam shaft 33 is rotated by an electric motor andreduction' gearing unit 4!) mounted on the side of the channel framemember 38. The shaft 36 extends beyond the bearing block 37 at the sideopposite the motor unit 40 and mounts three cams 4|,42 and 43 foroperating control switches 44, 45 and 46. Lever 32 is provided with acam follower 41 intermediate its end engaging the periphery of the cam35. When the cam is retated to the position illustrated in Fig. 2, theplaten I is moved to its open tilted position with respect to the moldT; and when the cam is rotated to the position illustrated in Fig. 3,the platen ID is moved to its closed position on the mold I.

The platen operating mechanism and selector valve 21 are controlled by athermostat having a bulb 48 mounted on and responsive to the temperatureof one side of the mold The bulb 48 is connected to an expansiblebellows 49 through a capillary tube 50 and the bellows is connected tooperate a single pole double throw switch 5|. The thermostaticallyoperated switch 5| is connected in a suitable electric control circuitincluding the operating elements and other switches as illustrated inFig. 6 to automatically control the operation of the machine. Theelectric circuit comprises line conductors 52 and 53 and the compressormotor 23 is connected across the line for continuous operation ascontrolled by a line switch 54. Line conductor 52 also is connected tothe pole of the thermostatic switch 5|. Low temperature contact 55 ofthe switch 5| is connected to one side of the solenoid of selector valve2' and the other side of the solenoid is connected to the conductor 53.Low temperature contact 55 also is connected to the pole of switch 44operated by cam 4| on the cam shaft 36. Contact 56 of cam switch 44 isconnected to one side of the platen operating motor 38 by a jumper 57 sothat a circuit is completed to lower the platen lil when the switchesare in the position illustarted in Fig. 6. When cam shaft 36 has rotated180, cam 4| will have opened switch 44 to hold the platen [0 in thetilted position illustrated in Fig. 2 and cam 42 will have closed switch45. In

lg. 6, cams 4i and 42 are shown in their positions just prior to theopening of switch 44 and the closing of switch 45. The opposite or hightemperature contact 58 of the thermostatic switch 5| is connected toswitch 45. Contact 59 of switch 45 is connected to the platen operatingmotor 38 by the jumper 51 for completing a circuit to move platen l0 toclosed position. Contact 58 of thermostatic switch 5| also is connectedto the contact 60 cf float-operated switch |6. Floatoperated switch IS,in turn, is connected to the pole of switch 46 operated by the cam 43.Contact 6| of switch 45 is connected to one side of the solenoid ofwater control valve l3 and the opposite side of the solenoid isconnected to the conductor 53.

Preferably the mold and platen H! are ten-- closed in suitableinsulating material which overlies the serpentine coil H and is split topermit the platen to move away from the mold. Although not shown, areciprocating plate is provided in the platen In for agitating the waterin the mold during a freezing operation as shown in a co-pendingapplication for Letters Patent by Clyde E. Ploeger filed concurrentlyherewith; and the top of mold I has holes overlying each of the cells 9to facilitate the removal of the ice cubes from the mold as describedand claimed in another co-pending application by Clyde E. Ploeger filedconcurrently herewith.

In accordance with the present invention, a construction and arrangementof elements is provided to release the cake of ice from one side of themold before it is released from the opposite side, support the side ofthe cake first released to control its descent and cause the cake todraw free of the mold as it swings about the support as a pivot, andcoordinate the heating and cooling of the mold and the operation of theplaten with the release of ice from the mold. The construction forretarding the release of one side of the cake from the mold may take avariety of forms. For example, detents may be provided on the side ofthe mold from which the cake is last released to engage the side of thecake and hold it until additional melting occurs; the side of the moldmay be partially insulated to reduce the heat transfer and delay therelease of ice; the mold may be progressively heated from one side tothe other; or any other suitable arrangement may be provided forproducing this result. The support engaged by the side of the cake firstreleased also may take a variety of forms. For example, a ledge may beprovided at the side of the mold; an element may be moved into andwithdrawn from a position underlying the side of the mold; the platenitself may constitute a support; or any other suitable arrangement maybe provided. The heating and cooling of the mold and operation of theplaten may be coordinated with the release of ice from the mold by atime-controlled mechanism, a thermostat responsive to the temperature ofthe mold, or any other suitable control mechanism.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the moldl is progressivel heated its opposite side is released.

from its rearward toward its forward side, the rearward edge of theplaten ID is used to support the side of the cake first released andthebulb 48 of the control thermostat is responsive to the forward sideof the mold and coordinates the operation of the platen'and the coolingand heating of the mold with the freezing and release of a cake of icein the mold. 'It is to be understood that the expressions "forward andrearward sides of the mold are merely used for convenience ofdescription and apply to-any two opposite sides of the mold. In theillustrated embodiment the coil I1 is arranged on the top of themold -1with its inlet adjacent the rearward side at wnieh the platen I ismounted and its outlet at the'forward side with the straightsections ofthe coil extending in a direction parallel with the forward and rearwardsides. When hot gas isdelivered to the coil H, the mold 1 will beprogressively heated from its rearward toward its forward side so thatthe side of thecake adjacent the platen pivot will be first released.

The stops 3i underlying the links 29 are adjusted so that the rearwardedges of the p t when lowered and swung to the position illustrated inFig. 2 will be located below the cake a distance equal to the heightofthe partitions 8. When the rearward side of the cake is released it willdescen to and engage the rearward edge of the platen III as illustratedin Fig.2. 'Thus, the rearward edge of the platen l0 constitutes asupport on which the cakerests and provides a pivot about which the cakewill swing as a unit when Such controlled swinging of the cake as a unitwill draw the ice free from the cells 9 as it falls from the moldwithout any tilting or jamming of the individual cubes in the cells orhanging of the whole or any part of the cake in the mold.

The bulb of the control thermostat islocated at the opposite side of themold I from the side from which the cake is first released or, in otherwords, at the forward side of the mold. As the cake of ice is lastreleased from the forward side of the mold 1 and as the-whole cake fallsfreeof the mold when the forward edge of the cake is released, thearrangement prevents theclosing of the platen l0 until all of the icehas been removed from the mold. One form of the'invention having nowbeen described in detail, the mode of operation is explained as follows.

For-purposes of description let it be assumed that the platen I0 is inclosed position and a freezing'cycle is in progress. Under suchconditions refrigerant is being'supplied to the coil ll from the"expansion valve 29 and refrigerant vapor is being-exhausted from theforward end of the coilby the compressor 22 to reduce the pressure andtemperature in the coil. Heat is being transheat-so that the temperatureof the mold I will gradually decrease during an ice freezing operationfi-When the proper amount of ice has been frozen in the mold l thetemperature of the mold will have fallen to a degree at which thethermostat switch is move'dto the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6.The closing of the switch 5| with low temperature contact will completea circuit through cam switch 44 and'energize the platen motor 40' torotate the cam 35 clockwise from a'position as illustrated in Fig. 3 tothe position illustrated in Fig. 2. The weight of the platen lfl'thencauses it to fall away from the bottom of the mold 1 until the linksv 29engage the stops 3 I, after which the platen wil1 rock on the trunnionpins 28 to the inclined position illustrated in Fig. 2. The lowering andtilting of the platen 10 will locate its. rearward edge S directly belowthe cake of ice adjacent its rearward side, a distance equal to theheight of the partitions 8. After rotation of cam shaft 36 through anarc of cam 4| will have opened switch 44 to stop operation of motor 40to hold platen II! in the inclined position illustrated in Fig. 2 andcam Will have closed switch 45.

Simultaneous with the energization of theplaten motor 38 the selectorvalve Zlwill be actuated to. open the by-pass 26 from the compressor tothe coil. High temperature gas then flows directly from the compressor22 through the by-. pass 26 and into the rearward end of the coil ll.The hot gas in the coil I! immediately transfers its heat" to therearward portion of the mold 1 which; in turn; cools the gas so that bythe time the latter leaves the forward end of the coil it hasvery'little heating effect. As the flow of gas continues the rearwardportion of the mold I becomes warmer so that the gas will progressivelyheat the mold from its rearward toward its for- Ward side. Heat istransmitted from the coil [1 through the top and side walls of the moldl to the partitions 8 so that the ice bond at the contacting surfaces ofcells 9 is melted to release the cake of ice. As the bond between thepartitions 8 and ice cake is first released at the rearward .portion ofthe mold-1; the rearward side of the cake will first fall from the mold.When the rearward side of the ice cake has fallen a distance equal tothe height of the partitions, it will engage the rearward-edge S of theplaten l0 which holds it and prevents further tiltingh As the heating ofthe mold I progresses the forward side of the cake will be released, atwhich time the weight of the cake will cause it to fall from the moldand swing about the edge S of the platen as a pivot. Such controlledswingingof the cake of ice from the mold I will draw the individualcubes of the cake from the mold as it falls from the positionillustrated in full lines to the position illustrated in dotted lines inFig. 2. Such swinging of the ice cake also prevents the weight of theside of the cake first released from tilting the individual cubes in thecells 9 with a resultant jamming and hanging of the ice in the mold.

' Assoon as the forward side of the cake is ref leased, the temperatureof the forward side of the .mold increases and actuates the switch 5| tothe .dottedline position illustrated in Fig. 6 to engage the hightemperature contact 53. A circuit is then completed through cam switch45, jumper 51 and motor 38 to rock the. platen back to the ,closedposition-illustrated in Fig. 3. At the end of 180'. movement of the camshaft 34, the cam 42 opens switch 45 to deenergize the motor 38 and cam40 closes switch 44 to set the control for the next ice dumpingoperation. Movement of the cam shaft'36 operating through cam 43willhave closed switch 46 and completed a circuit through switch i6 andthe solenoid of water valve l3.to open the latter and supply water tothe mold I. When. the proper. amount ofwater has .been sup.-

plied to the mold I the floatl5, will open switch "I 6 and therebyclosewater valve l3. Upon shifting of thermostatic switch 5| from the lowtemperature contact 55 to the high temperature contact 58 the circuitthrough the solenoid operated selector valve 21. is deenergized, thevalve then closing the by-pass conduit 26 and opening the conduit fromthe expansion valve 20 to the coil 11. Thus, another cycle of operationhas been started to automatically freeze a cake of ice in the mold 1which will continue until the temperature of the mold is lowered to adegree at which the thermostatic switch 5| is again operated.

' It will now be observed that the present invention provides aconstruction and arrangement of elements to insure the release of a cakeof ice from one side of the mold before it is released from the oppositeside and supporting the side of a cake first released to control itsdescent. It will also be observed that the present invention provides anarrangement in which the side of the cake first released is opposite theside responsive to the control thermostat. It will still further beobserved that the present invention provides a construction andarrangement of elements in which the mold is progressively heated fromone side to the other to release the ice cake in a controlled manner.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention is herein illustratedand described, it will be understood that changes may be made in theconstruction and arrangement of elements as previously explained withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, Withoutlimitation in this respect, the invention is defined by the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. In an ice making machine, a mold having an open side from which icemay fall by gravity, elements cooperating with said mold for freezingliquid to form a cake of ice therein, means to discontinue freezing inthe mold to release the cake of ice therefrom, a construction andarrangement of the elements to release the cake from one side of themold before it is released from the opposite side, and a supportarranged for engagement by the side of the cake first released wherebyto control its descent to cause the cake to fall freely from the mold.

2. In an ice making machine, a mold having cross partitions forming aplurality of cells and an open side from which ice may fall by gravity,elements cooperating with said mold for freezing liquid in the cells andover the partitions to form a single cake of ice, means for heating themold and partitions therein to release the cake of ice, 2. constructionand arrangement of elements to release the cake from one side of themold before it is released from the opposite side, and a supportadjacent said one side of the mold and engaged by the side of the cakefirst released to cause the cake to fall freely from the mold as itswings about said support.

3. In an ice making machine, a mold having an open side from which icemay fall by gravity, means for cooling the mold to freeze a cake of icetherein, means for heating the mold to release the cake of ice, athermostat responsive to the temperature at one side of the mold forcontrolling the cooling and heating of the mold, a construction andarrangement of elements to first release the cake of ice from the sideof the mold opposite the side controlling the thermostat, and a supportadjacent said opposite side of the mold and engageable by the side ofthe cake first released to cause the cake to fall freely from the moldas it swings about said support as a pivot.

4. In an ice making machine, a mold having an open sidef-rom which icemay fall by gravity, a platen, a thermostat responsive to thetemperature at one side of the mold for moving the platen toward andaway from the open side of the mold, elements cooperating with said moldfor freezing a cake of ice therein, means for heating the mold torelease the cake of ice, a con struction and arrangement of elements tofirst release the cake of ice from the side of .the mold opposite theside controlling the thermostat, and a support adjacent said oppositeside of the mold for engagement by the side of the cake first releasedto cause the cake to fall freely from the mold as it swings about saidsupport as a pivot. I

5. In an ice making machine, a mold having cross partitions forming aplurality of cells and an open bottom from which ice may fall bygravity, a platen movable toward and away from the bottom of the mold,means for cooling the mold for freezing liquid in the cells and over thebottom of the partitions to form a single cake, means for heating themold and partitions therein to release the cake of ice, a thermostatresponsive to the temperature at one side of the mold for controllingoperation of the platen and the cooling and heating of the mold, aconstruction and arrangement of elements to first release the cake ofice from the side of the mold opposite the side controlling thethermostat, and a support adjacent said opposite side and engageable bythe side of the cake first released to cause the cake to fall freelyfrom the mold as it swings about said support as a pivot. I

6. In an ice making machine, a mold having cross partitions forming aplurality of cells and an open side from which ice may fall by gravity,elements cooperating with said mold for freezing liquid in the cells andover the partitions to form a single cake, means for progressivelyheating the mold and partitions therein from one side to the other torelease the cake of ice, and a support engaged by the side of the cakefirst released to cause the cake to fall freely from the mold as itswings about said support as a pivot.

7. In an ice making machine, a mold having cross partitions forming aplurality of cells and an open bottom, a platen, a thermostat responsiveto the temperature at one side of the mold for controlling the operationof the platen to open and close the mold, means for cooling the mold tofreeze liquid in the cells and over the bottom of the partitions to forma single cake, means for progressively heating the mold and partitionstherein from the side of the mold opposite to the side controlling thethermostat, and a support adjacent said opposite side of the mold forengagement by the side of the cake first released to cause the cake tofall freely from the mold as it swings about said support as a pivot.

8. In an ice making machine, a mold having cross partitions forming aplurality of cells and an open bottom, a platen mounted adjacent oneside of the mold for swinging movement to close the bottom of the moldin one position and open the bottom of the mold in another position,means for freezing liquid in the cells and over the bottom of thepartitions to form a single cake, means for heating the mold andpartitions therein to release the cake of ice, a construc tion andarrangement of elements to first release the cake at the side of themold adjacent the platen mounting, and the side of the platen adjacentthe mounting constituting a support for holding the side of the cakefirst released to cause the cake to fall freely from the mold as itswings about the side of the platen.

9. In an ice making machine, a mold open at the bottom, a platen forclosing the bottom of the mold, means for cooling the mold to freeze acake of ice therein, pivot means adjacent one side of the mold formounting the platen to rock to an inclined position beneath the mold,means for progressively heating the mold from the side adjacent theplaten pivot means toward the opposite side, and the side of the platenadjacent the pivot means holding the side of the cake first released tocontrol its descent and cause the cake to fall freely from the mold.

10. In an ice making machine, a mold having cross partitions forming aplurality of cells and an open bottom, a platen closing the bottom ofthe mold and mounted at one side of the mold for combined downward andpivotal movement away from the mold, a serpentine coil overlying the topof the mold in heat transfer relation thereto and having an inlet at theside of the mold adjacent the platen pivot and an outlet at the oppositeside, means for delivering cooling medium for flow through the coil tofreeze liquid in the cells and over the bottom of the partitions to forma single cake, means for moving the platen to an inclined position belowthe mold, means for delivering a heating medium for flow through thecoil to progressively heat the mold and partitions therein from theinlet to the outlet side of the coil, and the pivoted side of the platenunderlying the mold and providing a support for holding the side of thecake first released to control its descent when the opposite side is 10released to cause the cake to fall freely from the mold.

11. In an ice making machine, a mold having cross partitions forming aplurality of cells and an open bottom, a platen pivotally mountedadjacent one side of the mold to close the bottom of the latter andswing to an inclined position With respect thereto, a serpentine coiloverlying the top of the mold and having an inlet at the side of themold adjacent the platen pivot and an outlet at the opposite side, meansfor delivering a cooling medium for flow through the coil to freezeliquid in the cells and over the bottom of the partitions to form asingle cake, means for delivering a heating medium for flow through thecoil to progressively heat the mold and partitions therein from theinlet to the outlet of the coil, a thermostat responsive to thetemperature of the side of the mold opposite the platen pivot forcontrolling the operation of the platen and the heating and cooling ofthe mold, and the pivoted side of the platen underlying the mold andproviding a support for holding the side of the cake first released tocontrol its descent when the opposite side is released to cause the caketo fall freely from the mold.

DUDLEY R. COOK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,449,225 Griesser Mar. 20, 19231,484,982 Bright Feb. 26, 1924 1,757,033 Wolcott May 6, 1930 2,459,337Raney Jan. 18, 1949 2,484,017 Copeman Oct. 11, 1949 2,486,957 McGreWNov. 1, 1949 2,493,900 Schaberg et al. Jan. 10, 1959

